Queens Park Rangers, who suffered a first defeat of the season in their previous match at home to Watford, could at least console themselves with the fact that they played slightly better in losing a pulsating game at Elland Road.

That is not, however, the same as saying Leeds were fortunate to win. Coming into the game on an eight-match unbeaten run of their own, Simon Grayson's side played with real confidence and verve, and with the diminutive Ivorian winger Max-Alain Gradel having his best game in a Leeds shirt – certainly in this division – they demonstrated a finishing edge that will surely ensure the play-offs are now the least of their ambitions.

In losing to Watford Rangers failed to equal a club record of 20 matches unbeaten. As they looked to recover from that setback the Championship leaders created two decent early chances, Tommy Smith side-footing a volley over the bar and Rob Hulse getting up at the far post to force United goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, to save.

The ease with which the former Leeds striker rose above his marker, Neill Collins, highlighted the home team's uncertainty in central defence in the absence of Andy O'Brien, but Leigh Bromby proved a competent deputy for Alex Bruce, who had to go off after only 11 minutes.

Coming forward, Leeds looked dangerous, as Luciano Becchio demonstrated when his header from Paul Connolly's cross brought a flying save from the Rangers goalkeeper, Paddy Kenny. The impressive Robert Snodgrass also went close with a drive, but not as close as Adel Taarabt, when the Rangers midfielder was allowed to run and shoot from the edge of the area. The ball brushed Schmeichel's right post with the goalkeeper beaten.

When Leeds went ahead it was probably against the run of play, although Jonathan Howson was becoming increasingly influential in midfield when he jumped to meet Snodgrass's hopeful far-post cross. The ball looped up and none of the Rangers defenders, including Kenny, reacted before Gradel slid in to half-volley the ball over the line.

The combination of Howson and Snodgrass in midfield was now causing Rangers real problems, and a series of first-time passes that culminated in Howson pulling the ball back across the penalty area led to the stretching Gradel turning the ball just beyond the far post.

Rangers began the second half looking slightly the stronger of the teams again but, having been arguably at fault in the concession of the opener, Kenny was relieved when his attempt to make a straightforward save from a Becchio drive only just came off.

Nor can the goalkeeper have been happy when, after a period of Rangers pressure, Gradel picked up Collins's clearance well inside his own half, ran uninterrupted into the Rangers penalty area and turned Fitz Hall inside out before firing the ball between Kenny and his near post.

Thereafter, Rangers, drained of confidence, rather gave up. Certainly they failed to create any further chances of note, while Leeds knocked the ball about with increasing aplomb, retaining possession and occasionally driving forward to cause havoc in the visitors' penalty area. With 15 minutes remaining, Gradel, for whom Leeds were reported to have paid Leicester City only £200,000, left to a standing ovation.

Since losing 4-0 at home to Cardiff almost two months ago, Leeds have now won six matches and drawn three, but a convincing win against a side who had yet to lose away all season, and had conceded only five goals in those games, will ensure it is a very happy Christmas at Elland Road. On this evidence, their prospects of a similarly prosperous new year will depend in no small part on keeping Snodgrass and Howson fit and in form – and perhaps on the extension of O'Brien's loan from Bolton Wanderers – while Rangers seek to rediscover the form that had appeared to make automatic promotion inevitable.